Kalaipuli S. Thanu
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Kalaipuli S. Thanu (pronounced [ðaːnu]) is an Indian film producer and distributor, known for his films in Tamil cinema. He has produced several films through his two companies, V Creations and Kalaipuli Films International. Many of his films have been commercially successful, three of which are among the top-ten highest grossing Tamil films. He has won two National Film Awards, two Cinema Express Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Personal life
Thanu is married to Kala. Their son Kalaprabhu made his directorial debut with Sakkarakatti (2008). Thanu also has a daughter Kavitha.
Career
S. Thanu began his career as a film financier and distributor, before becoming a producer and a partner at Kalaipuli Films with S. Thanu and Soori with Yaar? (1985), being their debut film as producers. He initially started as a publicity designer being responsible for christening Rajinikanth as "Superstar" and creating a 35 feet cutout of him in a theatre. He started his own company V. Creations and went on to produce commercially successful films with Vijayakanth in Cooliekkaran (1987), Nallavan (1988) and Pudhu Padagan (1990). His Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992) directed by Balu Mahendra won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. He also did in a cameo appearance for a film Magalir Mattum in 1994. Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) and Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) won the Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil. He has also produced films with Suriya in Kaakha Kaakha (2003), Maayavi (2005) and with Vijay in Sachein (2005), Thuppakki (2012) and Theri (2016). He collaborated with Rajinikanth for the first time for Kabali (2016).
He has produced four films for Dhanush such as Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (2017), Asuran (2019), Karnan (2021) and Naane Varuvean (2022).
Companies
Thanu owns Kalaipuli Films and V Creations. The former company was registered as a private company on 8 March 2004, and the CEO of the latter is Thanu's other son Paranthaman.
Filmography
As actor
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Magalir Mattum | Tailor who is fond of Tamil |
As producer
As distributor
- 1996 - Delhi Diary (Tamil dubbed)
- 1996 - Siraichaalai (Tamil dubbed)
- 2004 - Gharshana (Telugu)
- 2010 - Milaga
- 2010 - Thottupaar
- 2011 - Pathinaaru
- 2011 - Maaveeran (Tamil dubbed)
- 2011 - Urumi
- 2014 - Ner Ethir
- 2014 - Yennamo Yedho
- 2015 - Thakka Thakka
- 2015 - Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan
- 2016 - Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai
- 2016 - Parandhu Sella Vaa
- 2017 - Velaiilla Pattadhari 2
- 2019 - Lucifer (Tamil dubbed)
- 2019 - Kurukshetra (Tamil dubbed)
- 2021 - Maraikayar: Arabikadalin Singam (Tamil version)
- 2022 - Andhagan
- 2022 - Iravin Nizhal
Awards and honours
- Won, Best Feature Film in Tamil for Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992)
- Won, Best Feature Film in Tamil for Asuran (2019)
- Won, Best Film for Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993)
- Won, Best Film for Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
- Won, Best Film for Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
- Nominated, Best Film for Kaakha Kaakha (2003)
- Nominated, Best Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Nominated, Best Film for Theri (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Kabali (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Karnan (2021)
South Indian International Movie Awards
- Nominated, Best Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Nominated, Best Film for Theri (2016)
- Nominated, Best Film for Asuran (2019)
- Nominated, Best Film for Karnan (2021)
- Won, Favourite Film for Thuppakki (2012)
- Won, Most Popular Movie for Kabali (2016)
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards